Aspirator-ejector adapted to aspirate and to supply two fluids without mixing them

ABSTRACT

An aspirator-ejector apparatus adapted to aspirate one fluid and supply another fluid without mixing them and comprising an aspiration tube adapted for connection to a vacuum source, and a supply tube adapted for connection to a reservoir of supply fluid. A closure valve for the aspiration tube normally interrupts communication between the aspiration tube and the vacuum source, and a closure valve for the supply tube normally interrupts communication between the supply tube and the reservoir. At least one control member serves for opening both closure valves, and a pump is connected to the tubes to pump fluid from the reservoir to the supply conduit. The pump comprises a flexible, sealed member defining first and second distinct chambers, the first chamber being connected to the vacuum source, the aspiration tube and the corresponding closure valve, the second chamber being connected to the supply tube, the reservoir and the corresponding closure valve.

United States Patent Chancholle et al.

[ Aug. 26, 1975 ASPIRATOR-EJECTOR ADAPTED T0 ASPIRATE AND TO SUPPLY TWO FLUIDS WITHOUT MIXING THEM [76] Inventors: Andre Robert Chancholle, 20 Ave.

Frizac; Jean Maurice Francois Perisse', 19 Rue Paul Vidal, both of Toulouse 31, France [22] Filed: Oct. 15, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 406,466

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 18, 1972 France 72.36929 Apr. 26, 1973 France 73.15232 [52] US. Cl. 417/395 [51] Int. C1. F04B 43/06 [58] Field of Search 222/3865, 389; 417/395,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,408,208 2/1922 Jones 417/394 2,582,210 1/1952 Stanton.... 417/394 2,735,642 2/1956 Norman.... 417/394 3,007,416 11/1961 Childs 417/394 3,037,497 6/1962 Roberson. 417/394 3,040,774 6/1962 Sterberg... 417/394 3,062,153 11/1962 Losey 417/394 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 251,333 5/1962 Australia ..222/386.5 349,022 11/1960 Switzerland ..417/394 Primary Examiner william L. Freeh Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Waters, Schwartz & Nissen 5 7] ABSTRACT An aspirator-ejector apparatus adapted to aspirate one fluid and supply another fluid without mixing them and comprising an aspiration tube adapted for connection to a vacuum source, and a supply tube adapted for connection to a reservoir of supply fluid. A closure valve for the aspiration tube normally interrupts communication between the aspiration tube and the vacuum source, and a closure valve for the supply tube normally interrupts communication between the supply tube and the reservoir. At least one control member serves for opening both closure valves, and a pump is connected to the tubes to pump fluid from the reservoir to the supply conduit. The pump comprises a flexible, sealed member defining first and second distinct chambers, the first chamber being connected to the vacuum source, the aspiration tube and the corresponding closure valve, the second chamber being connected to the supply tube, the reservoir and the corresponding closure valve.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEU AUBZBIB'IS $901,629

sum 1 [1F 4 PA'I'ENTED A s 3. 901 29 SHEET 3 [1F 9 SHEET Q [If 4 PATENTEU AUEZ 6 I975 BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an aspirator-ejector apparatus adapted to aspirate and supply two fluids without mixing them. The invention has particular utili' zation in surgical applications where it is necessary to aspirate secretions and to introduce fluids such as phys' iological serum.

The apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises in combination an aspiration tube connected to'a vacuum source, a supply tube connected to a fluid supply reservoir, means for closing said aspiration tube to normally interrupt the communi'cation between the aspiration tube and the vacuum source, means for closing said supply tube to normally interrupt the communication between the supply tube and the reservoir, at least one manual control means for opening said means for closing the aspiration tube and for closing the supply tube, and a pump comprising a sealed elastic member which defines, in the interior of the body of the pump, two distinct chambers, one being connected to the vacuum source and to the aspiration tube and its respective closing means, and the other being connected to said reservoir and to the supply tube and its respective closing means.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises an aspiration channel joined to the aspiration tube, by means of a first hollow, sealed coupling slidably mounted on respective joined extremities of the aspiration channel and of the aspiration tube, a supply channel joined to the supply tube by means of a second hollow, sealed coupling slidably mounted on the respective joined extremities of the supply channel and of the supply tube. The closing means of the aspiration tube and the supply tube comprise a valve carried by each of said couplings adapted to close the corresponding tube and a spring associated with each of the said couplings and normally biassing the same to apply the valves against the aspiration tube and the supply tube. The apparatus further comprises entrainment means carried by said first and second couplings and mutually coacting such that as soon as the first coupling is displaced in opposition to the force of its associated spring it entrains the second coupling in the corresponding direction to cause opening of the supply tube and communication thereof with the pump forthe supply of fluid.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the aspiration tube and the supply tube are constituted of a flexible material, for example rubber, and are susceptible of being pinched r squeezed to be closed respectively by two independent control elements, manually activated in opposition to elastic recall means which normally keep the tubes in a closed or pinched condition. The control elements may be constituted respectively by an angle member and by a button having normal extended positions.

Said button entrains in its movement a valve which controls entry of atmospheric pressure to an orifice in the wall of the aspiration tube at a point between the region where it is pinched and the pump. The angle member preferably comprises means which permit its fixation in a retracted position in which the aspiration tube is not pinched. Such means can be constituted by a slide member whichis slidable along the angle member and is capable of hooking itself on a fixed portion of the body of the apparatus.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the pump is constituted of two concentric rigid pieces, in the form of test tubes sealably joined together at their mouthpieces, and peripherally engaging the edge of an elastic hood member which extends through the interior space between the two tubular pieces to define said chambers, one being an outer or external chamber connected to the aspiration tube and the vacuum source by respective ducts formed on the outer tubular piece, the other chamber communicating with the injection fluid reservoir via a check valve mounted in a bore of the other tubular piece and to the supply tube, through the intermediary of a conduit joining this tubular piece and the supply tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Two embodiments of apparatus according to the invention will be described in non-limitative respect with reference to the drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 to 3 diagrammatically illustrate the apparatus according to a first embodiment, in three successive states of an operating cycle;

FIGS. 4 to 6 diagrammatically illustrate the apparatus according to a second embodiment, in three successive states of an operating cycle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the aspiration-supply apparatus according to the invention comprises an aspiration conduit or channel I coupled by means of a hollow slidable sleeve 2 to an aspiration tube 3, connected to a vacuum source 4. The sleeve 2 comprises an enlarged central portion or coupling chamber 5 and two tubular terminal portions 6, 7 sealably mounted for slidable movement on respective extremities of the conduit 1 and the aspiration tube 3. At the interior of the chamber 5 there is fixed a valve 8. As seen in FIG. 1, the sleeve 2 is normally urged towards the right by a spring 9 which applies the valve 8 against the open end of the aspiration tube 3. One end of the spring 9 engages the sleeve 2 and the other end bears against a fixed wall of a housing 11 which encloses the different members of the apparatus.

The sleeve 2 can be displaced manually towards the left, in opposition to the force of the spring 9, by means of a control member such as angle member 12 pivoted around an axle 13 carried by the housing 1 l. One of the arms 14 of the angle member 12 is in contact with an annular wall 15 integral with sleeve 2. When the other arm 16 of the angle member is displaced angularly in the direction of the arrow f, the arm 14 moves and entrains the sleeve 2 to cause it to travel to the left.

As shown in FIGS. I to 3, the supply section of the apparatus incorporates the same members as those of the aspiration section described above. These members are therefore not described anew. They will be designated by the same reference numerals as the corresponding members of the aspiration section, but with the suffix a. It is to be noted however, that the annular wall 15a is disposed downstream of the wall 15 with respect to the vacuum source 4 and in the path of travel of the wall 15. In this way, the valve 81: opens with a certain delay with respect to the valve 8. As shown in FIG. 3, as soon as the sleeve 2 is displaced towards the left, wall 15 is applied against wall15awhereafter the sleeve 2a is equally displaced towards the left, such that the aspiration tube 3 and the supplyptube 3a can be opened solely by means of operating the angle member The apparatus additionally comprises a pump 17 for the supply of physiological serum from a reservoir thereof in a receptacle l8. The pump comprises an elastic membrane 19 which defines-two independent chambers 20 and 21 in the interior of the pump. The

chamber 20 communicates withthe aspiration tube3,

by an orifice 22 and the chamber v21 has an admission orifice 23 coupled to receptacle 18 through the intermediary of a check-valve 24, which-only permits the serum to flow in the direction from thereceptacle towards the pump. The chamber2l has a supply orifice 25 joined to the supply tube 3a.

The operation of the apparatus according to the invention is as follows: I

At the start of an operating cycle, the apparatus is in the state illustrated in FIG. 1. The valve 8 closes the aspiration tube 3 and the compression in the chamber 20 is minimal. The membrane 19 is deformed to a maximum, which provokes the aspiration of a dose of serum into chamber 21 from receptacle 18 via the check valve 24.

When the angle member 12 is pivotably moved in the direction of the arrow f, the sleeve 2 is moved towards the left and the valve 8 opens the aspiration tube 3 which is then placed into communication with the atmospheric pressure present at the free extremity of the conduit 1. The pressure therefore increases in the chamber 20 and is transmitted, by the elastic properties of the membrane 19, to the imprisoned serum in the chamber 21. However, the membrane keeps its curved form and the serum doesnt flow since the valve 8a still closes the outlet orifice of the supply tube 3a, the check valve 24 preventing return of the serum to the receptacle 18.

FIG. 3 shows the following stage when the angle member 12 is pivoted further. The wall 15 of the sleeve 2 thrusts against the wall 15a of the sleeve 20 entraining the latter in the same direction to cause opening of the valve 8a.

The serum contained in the chamber 21 is subjected to the pressure applied to the membrane 19 and therefore flows to the supply conduit 1a. The membrane 19 becomes substantially flattened.

When the angle member 12 is released, the two sleeves 2 and 2a are urged to the right under the action of the forces of their respective springs 9 and 9a. Thus, valve 80 closes first and when valve 8 subsequently closes the aspiration conduit 3, the pressure in chamber 20 becomes a minimum and equal to the pressure in the vacuum source whereby the membrane 19 is forceably moved and aspirates a new dose of serum into chamber 21 from receptacle 18 via check valve 24. The apparatus is now in the initial position described with reference to FIG. 1 and is ready for a new injection cycle.

Referring to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6, herein the aspiration-supply apparatus comprises a portable section 31 in which are mounted the elements controlling the aspiration and supply of the fluids and a pump 32.

The portable section 31 comprises a hollow. elongated casing 33 in which are mounted an aspiration tube 34 and a supply tube 35 each respectively connected ,at one extremity thereof to conduits 36 and 37 and at their other extremities to a vacuum source and to a fluid supply reservoir as will be explained later.

According to this embodiment, the tubes 34 and 35 are flexible and capable of being closed bypinching. For this purpose, the portable section 31 is provided with a control member or pawl constituted as an angle member 38 including a handle 39 and a fing er40ipositioned for acting on the tube 34. The angle member 38 is pivotally mounted on an axle 41 secured in casing 33. Normally, the angle member 38 is maintained in raised position as shown in FIG. 4 by the action of a spring 42. In this position, the finger 40 pinches tube 34 against a rigid bearing 43 to close the tube thereat and prevent IS the development of suction in the tube in the region to the left of the location where the tube is pinched. When the angle member is lowered as shown in FIG. 5, the tube 34 is no longer pinched and aspiration is produced at the left extremity 36 of tube 34.

slidably mounted on handle 39 is a slide member 44 terminated by a locking finger 45. In the retracted position of the angle member'shown in FIG. 5, if the member 44 is slidably displaced to the right, the finger 45 engages under a lip of the casing 33. Thus, for a prolonged aspiration, the operator does not have to continually apply force to the angle member.

The portable section 31 is further provided with a button 46 which is urged to a raised position by a spring 47. The button 46 is constructed as a one-piece member with a projection 48 situated beneath supply tube and a valve portion 49 disposed between tubes 34 and 35. In the normal raised position of the button, projection 48 blocks the supply tube 35 by pinching the same against a rigid bearing 50 whereas the valve por- 35 tion 49 blocks an orifice 51 formed in the aspiration tube 34 at a location between the pump and the angle member.

The pump 32 comprises two concentric members 52, 53 of test tube shape sealably connected together at their mouthpieces. Between these two members is lodged an elastic hood 54 which constitutes the motive or drive element of the pump. The edge of the hood 54 is engaged between the mating edges of the mouthpieces of the members 52, 53. The hood 54 divides the space between the two tubes into an external chamber 55 and an internal chamber 56. The outer member 52 comprises at its lower part two ducts respectively connected to a vacuum source (not shown) and the aspiration tube 34. The internal member 53 has an axial bore 58 which communicates with the internal chamber 56 by the intermediary of a check valve 59. The bore 58 is connected to a container 60 for supply fluid, for example serum, by the intermediary of an aspiration conduit 61. The supply conduit 35 is connected to the internal chamber 56 by a conduit 62.

The operation of the apparatus according to the second embodiment of the invention is as follows' The aspiration of secretions and the injection of serum are operations perfectly independent of one another which can be realized separately from one another at the desired time. To aspirate secretions, it is sufficient to lower the angle member 38 as shown in FIG. 5. The tube 34 is then opened and the vacuum source suctions secretions through the tube 57. chamber 55 and the tube 34.

At the beginning of an operation cycle. the member 38 and the button 46 are in raised position and pinch the respective aspiration and supply tubes 34 and 35 as shown in FIG. 4. The suction produced by the vacuum source in external chamber 55 of the pump causes dilation of elastic hood 54. The chamber 56 of the pump is increased in volume and is filled with serum supplied from container 60 via conduit 61.

The pump is thus filled with serum and if button 46 is depressed, the supply tube is no longer pinched and the orifice 51 of the aspiration tube'34 is opened. Atmospheric pressure is thus applied in tube 34 via orifice 51 to apply pressure on hood 54 which is caused to contract as shown in FIG. 6. The serum which fills chamber 56 is thus caused to flow into conduit 62 to supply tube 35, check valve 59 being closed to prevent return flow to the container 60.

After flow of a volume of the serum, the button 46 is released to return to the position of FIG. 4. The hood 54 is then dilated anew by the vacuum and the pump is ready for a new cycle of operation.

What is claimed is:

1. Aspirator-ejector apparatus adapted to aspirate and supply two fluids without their mixing, said appara tus comprising an aspiration tube adapted for connection to a vacuum source,

a supply tube adapted for connection to a reservoir of supply fluid,

closure means for said aspiration tube for normally interrupting communication between the aspiration tube and the vacuum source,

closure means for said supply tube for normally interrupting communication between the aspiration tube and the vacuum source,

at least one control means for opening both said closure means, and

a pump including a flexible, sealed member defining first and second distinct chambers, the first chamber being connected to the vacuum source, the aspiration tube and the corresponding closure, the second chamber being connected to the supply tube, the reservoir and the corresponding closure means,

said aspiration tube and said supply tube being constituted of flexible material capable of being pinched to close the tubes to fluid passage, said control means including two independent control elements manually operable and having normal positions in which said tubes are pinched and closed, said control elements respectively comprising a pawl and a button having normal raised positions.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising a oneway valve between the pump and the reservoir permitting flow only in the direction from the reservoir to the pump.

3. Apparatus as'claimed in claim 1 wherein said control means further comprises a valve connected to said button for movement therewith, said aspiration tube having an orifice therein at a location between the region where it is pinched and said pump, said valve which is connected to said button being positioned adjacent said orifice to move with said button to control entry of air at atmospheric pressure through said orifice.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pump comprises two hollow rigid members of test tube shape concentrically mounted within one another with mouthpieces coupled together in sealed relation to define an enclosed space, an elastic member secured by said mouthpieces and extending between said hollow members to divide the space therebetween into inner and outer chambers, the outer chamber being connected to the aspiration tube and to the vacuum source, the inner chamber being connected to the reservoir, a one-way valve connected between said inner chamber and the reservoir to permit flow of fluid only from the reservoir to said inner chamber, and a conduit connecting the inner chamber to said supply tube.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pawl includes means for locking the pawl in lowered position in which the aspiration tube is unpinched and open.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said means for locking the pawl comprises a slidable member on said pawl including a locking hook adapted for engaging a fixed portion of the apparatus. 

1. Aspirator-ejector apparatus adapted to aspirate and supply two fluids without their mixing, said apparatus comprising an aspiration tube adapted for connection to a vacuum source, a supply tube adapted for connection to a reservoir of supply fluid, closure means for said aspiration tube for normally interrupting communication between the aspiration tube and the vacuum source, closure means for said supply tube for normally interrupting communication between the aspiration tube and the vacuum source, at least one control means for opening both said closure means, and a pump including a flexible, sealed member defining first and second distinct chambers, the first chamber being connected to the vacuum source, the aspiration tube and the corresponding closure, the second chamber being connected to the supply tube, the reservoir and the corresponding closure means, said aspiration tube and said supply tube being constituted of flexible material capable of being pinched to close the tubes to fluid passage, said control means including two independent control elements manually operable and having normal positions in which said tubes are pinched and closed, said control elements respectively comprising a pawl and a button having normal raised positions.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising a oneway valve between the pump and the reservoir permitting flow only in the direction from the reservoir to the pump.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said control means further comprises a valve connected to said button for movement therewith, said aspiration tube having an orifice therein at a location between the region where it is pinched and said pump, said valve which is connected to said button being positioned adjacent said orifice to move with said button to control entry of air at atmospheric pressure through said orifice.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pump comprises two hollow rigid members of test tube shape concentrically mounted within one another with mouthpieces coupled together in sealed relation to define an enclosed space, an elastic member secured by said mouthpieces and extending between said hollow members to divide the space therebetween into inner and outer chambers, the outer chamber being connected to the aspiration tube and to the vacuum source, the inner chamber being connected to the reservoir, a one-way valve connected between said inner chamber and the reservoir to permit flow of fluid only from the reservoir to said inner chamber, and a conduit connecting the inner chamber to said supply tube.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pawl includes means for locking the pawl in lowered position in which the aspiration tube is unpinched and open.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said means for locking the pawl comprises a slidable member on said pawl including a locking hook adapted for engaging a fixed portion of the apparatus. 